Charles E. Roydhouse, Chief

Dear Hall of Fame Committee,

  Please accept this nomination for Charles E. Roydhouse to the Hall of Fame. Please see attached documentation for Mr. Roydhouse.

Sincerely,
Doug Beall
President, WAFIC

Joined West Annapolis Volunteer Fire Department in 1948
Was also a member of Water Witch Hook and Ladder Company in Annapolis in 1948. Served as Volunteer Lieutenant until annexation in 1949.
In 1949 became engineman in the paid City Department served approximately six months in this capacity at company 39. Left the city for a better paying job as communication telegrapher. Transferred to U.S. Naval Academy Fire Department as a firefighter, later promoted to Engineman then Fire Inspector.
Received many awards of Merit for making the most fire and ambulance calls each year. Served as Lieutenant for five years, Captain and Chief for over twenty years.
Served on the Annapolis City Advisory Board representing West Annapolis Fire Department, each company (5) had a representative.
Served on County Commissioner Fire Board helping to select the first employee to cover the new position of County Fire Administrator and several assistants which were to become Fire Inspectors and Arson Investigators. During most of this time period worked as a field instructor for the University of Maryland Fire Extension Service at College Park.
Taught classes throughout Anne Arundel County, such as basic, Advanced and Section III for the University at Earleigh Heights, Cape St. Claire, Arnold, West Annapolis, Water Witch, Eastport, Rescue Hose Company, Woodland Beach, Deale, Avalon Shores, Independent, and Riva.
Also conducted fire classes at Matapeake Natural Resource Police Facility, training police officers fire suppression on vessels and mariners.
Certified by State Forestry Department. Was authorized to start back fires when necessary to prevent fire spread.
Became involved with American Red Cross as CPR instructor and later as an Instructor Trainer. Training CPR Instructors for the Red Cross and American Heart Association.
Set up the first Disaster Teams of the Red Cross.
Served as Co Chairman Anne Arundel County responsible for South County from Severna Park to Friendship.
Set up as a liaison with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department a system where the company Fire Dispatcher could page either of the Chairman to have teams report to the Battalion Chief on the scene to take care of those displaced by a fire, flood, etc. Opened shelters at Andover High School, and Cromwell Elementary when the fire occurred at Greentree Apartments.
February 1983 was inducted into Red Cross Hall of Fame for the Baltimore Region.
Also served as instructor Industrial Safety Institute for one week period, teaching First Aid, CPR, general safety and fire safety at many locations including Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Fort Meade, National Fire Academy Emmitsburg, etc.
Taught many Boy Scouts Firemanship, First Aid, Safety, Emergency Preparedness Merit Badges.
Transferred from U.S. Naval Academy Fire to the Safety Division at U.S. Naval Ship Research and Development Center, was able to attend Catonsville Community College in the Fire Protection Program.
Attended Indiana University and Tulane University and received Safety and Hazardous Materials Specialized Training
Became Gas Free Engineer in the Safety Program
In 1977 became a professional Safety Engineer in the state of California
Attended Arson Investigation course conducted by University of Purdue at the University of Maryland.
Held memberships in Maryland Fire Chiefs Association, and Maryland Arson Investigators Association.
Served on Advisory Board establishing the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy

Charles E. Roydhouse
Chief
Date of Birth:
Date of Death: November13, 2020

Chuck Roydhouse passed away peacefully on November 13,2020. at the age of 93 surrounded by family.

A lifelong Annapolis resident, Chuck was born in Hells Point, where the Naval Academy Field House is currently located. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army during WWII. He was a Sergeant in the 82nd Airborne and liberated concentration camps in Germany and Poland.

After the war Chuck worked for the Annapolis and Naval Academy Fire Departments and was the past Fire Chief of the West Annapolis Fire Department. Active in the community and his passion to help others, Chuck was an instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute University of Maryland, American Red Cross, American Heart Association and coached Youth Football for the Annapolis Athletic Association.

Chuck was active in Scouting for over 45 years serving as Assistant Scout Master Boy Scout Troop 454, District Commissioner Baltimore Area Council, Capital District Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of the Eagle Scout Review Board. He was a member of the Annapolis Elks Lodge 622, Annapolis Masonic Lodge 89, VFW and American Legion. Chuck retired after 47 years as the Director of Safety David Taylor Research and Development Laboratory Annapolis/Carderock Department of the United States Navy.

Anyone who knew Chuck knew that he was the most loving father, spouse and grandfather a family could ask for. Chuck was predeceased by his loving wife of 52 years Ann Roydhouse (nee Wade), brother Tom Roydhouse and sister Shirley Bender. He is survived by his son, Chuck Roydhouse II (Linda) ,daughter Charlotte and his grandson, Chuck Roydhouse III.

Due to Covid-19 a Memorial Service/ Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Online condolences can be made at www.hardestyfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers please make donations to Sweep Away Cancer www.sweepawaycancer.com PO BOX 753 Plainfield Indiana 46168.